Former Homeland Security Bureau Chief Sues

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The former head of the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management's Intelligence and Security Bureau is accusing his bosses of retaliation.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Richard Clark filed his lawsuit earlier this month in state district court. It names cabinet Secretary Gregory Myers and Assistant Secretary Anita Tallarico Statman.

Clark is suing under laws protecting whistleblowers and members of the armed services.

Clark says he was demoted earlier this year after trying to help one of his staff, a National guardsman, document scheduled military trainings on his time sheets.

A department spokesman says Clark could have appealed his demotion through the personnel process. The department is challenging many of Clark's claims, but the spokesman declined to comment further since the case is in court.